🔗 Share this article Stokes Takes 6 Wickets in England Ashes Warm-up Tour game, Perth venue (first day of three) England Lions 382: Jacks 84, Ben McKinney 67; Stokes 6-52 National team: yet to bat Ben Stokes achieved six wickets in his return to play since July but England faced an fitness worry about fast bowler Wood on the opening day of their Test preparation against England Lions in Perth. Skipper's Impressive Comeback Stokes, making his comeback after approximately four months away with a shoulder problem, bowled 16 overs across three spells for his six for fifty-two versus England Lions – each to catches taken on the leg side. Wood's Injury Worry Fast bowler Wood, himself returning after nine months out with a knee problem, bowled a scheduled amount of eight overs before leaving the field in the post-lunch session because of a hamstring problem. He will undergo scanning on the following day. Wood's injury sucked the intensity out of the day, as the England Lions were dismissed for three hundred eighty-two on a slow track after an automatic toss at the venue. Team Strategy England wanted to field first to build bowling fitness before the initial Test match at Optus Stadium, beginning on 21 November. In a possible hint towards their opening Test strategy, the tourists fielded an all-pace attack – four specialists plus Stokes – and left off-spinner Bashir in the development squad. Batting Performance Standouts Jacob Bethell didn't strengthen his case for inclusion in the Test side, making only two, but Jacks boosted his claim to be called upon during the series by swiping 84. Ben McKinney, Jordan Cox, 17-year-old Thomas Rew and Matthew Potts also made half-centuries. Relaxed Environment England's plan to play a solitary practice match against the Lions has been questioned by some ex-players but the captain responded by calling the critics "has-beens". A low-pressure first day in front of a smattering of fans at the ground was certainly a different experience from what England will encounter at a packed Optus Stadium the following week. Stokes Excellent Performance Stokes was superb in the contest against the Indian team in the home summer, only to strain himself to injury. He missed the last match with a shoulder tear. The skipper has not completed a complete participation in any of the team's past four tours because of various injuries and the tourists' chances of winning back the series are significantly reduced if he misses any of the five Tests in Australia. He has been practicing at full pace for two months and looked in fine shape on Wednesday, even if he could not comprehend the way in which some of his dismissals were gifted. Jacks Pushes Case Will Jacks is not expected to feature in the first Test – the team look to have shown their intentions with the eleven named here. Nevertheless, he may have nudged himself in front of the struggling Jacob Bethell with his eighty-four, which came at nearly run-a-ball pace. Prior to the concern over Wood, the five fast bowlers in the England XI for this game may not have been the bowling unit for the initial match. Carse was absent from the first day because of sickness, with his position going to Tongue. Josh Tongue had Lions opener McKinney edging to the keeper just after the break. Though the captain took the scalps, Jofra Archer impressed observers. He was energetic with the new ball and again after lunch, when he caused problems for Jacks. In the omission of Shoaib Bashir and with Wood departing, Joe Root was asked to deliver fourteen overs of his off-spin. It was mediocre fare, costing 117 runs at an economy of more than eight. Joe Root at least claimed a wicket in the closing stages when Fisher somehow hit a full toss to the fielder before Jofra Archer bounced out Matthew Potts for fifty-three with the final ball of the day.